Spain, 1 of the most popular vacation destinations of Poles and Europeans, faces unprecedented difficulties at airports. The employees of Azul Handling, a key subcontractor of Ryanair liable for ground handling of passengers and baggage, announced a nationwide strike that will begin on 15 August and is due to proceed until the end of 2025. This long-term protest action can importantly affect the travel plans of millions of people, including thousands of Poles, who plan to travel to Spain. Although Ryanair ensures that it does not anticipate serious disruption, the scale of the announced activities indicates possible delays, cancellations of flights and crucial inconveniences. We are examining precisely what this situation means for travellers and what steps should be taken to minimise the hazard of problems.
Why are Azul Handling employees on strike? Reasons and demands
The decision to strike Azul Handling workers after long negotiations is due to deep discontent with employment conditions. Trade unionists indicate "continuous employment uncertainty", "permanent violations of workers' rights" and "excessive pressure" on staff. According to trade union representatives, the company does not supply unchangeable working hours, enforces overtime and uses excessive disciplinary measures, which is simply a direct violation of manufacture agreements. The national Secretary of the FeSMC-UGT Air Union, José Manuel Pérez Grande, stresses that the aim of the protest is to improve working conditions for more than 3,000 workers nationwide. The main demands include the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on staff and the launch of real negotiations with the company's management to accomplish fair and unchangeable working conditions.
Schedule of strikes: Which airports and erstwhile will they be protested?
The protest actions will begin at 12 major airports in Spain, including key airports that operate a crucial part of tourist and business traffic. These include Madrid (Barajas), Barcelona (El Prat), Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Alicante, Seville, Valencia, Ibiza, Girona, Santiago de Compostela, Las Palmas and Tenerife South. Initially, strikes will take place for 3 days – 15, 16 and 17 August – between 5:00 and 9:00, 12:00 to 3:00 and 21:00 to 11:59. Key for travellers, protests will be extended in the following weeks and will be held every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, until 31 December 2025. This means that for more than 4 months, travellers utilizing Ryanair in Spain will be exposed to difficulties almost daily, which makes the situation highly serious for those planning to leave in the autumn and winter.
Potential handicaps for travellers: What does this mean for your vacation?
A long-term strike by groundhandling workers Azul Handling may have serious consequences for Ryanair passengers. Although the airline declares that it does not anticipate serious disruption, experience from erstwhile strikes in the aviation manufacture shows that delays and cancellations of flights are very likely. Problems can concern both check-in and baggage handling, which can lead to long queues, lost baggage and a crucial lengthening of time spent at the airport. For travellers planning holidays, business trips or short trips to Spain, it is essential to prepare for possible changes. Recommended regular flight position check on the authoritative carrier website and tracking of airport messages. It is besides worth considering flexibility in travel planning, for example by purchasing travel insurance covering delays and cancellations.
Passenger rights: What aid can you anticipate in a strike?
In the event of a hold or cancellation due to a strike, the European Union rules (Regulation EC 261/2004) require airlines to supply adequate care to passengers. This includes meals and drinks suitable for waiting times, the anticipation of making 2 free telephone calls or sending e-mails, and in case of request of accommodation – hotel accommodation and transport from and to the airport. It is crucial to hold all receipts and evidence of costs incurred, as airlines only reimburse ‘reasonable’ expenses. However, it should be remembered that EU rules do not supply for additional financial compensation for delays or appeals due to "extraordinary circumstances". The strike of groundhandling workers, which is independent of the carrier, is usually considered to be specified a circumstance. This means that, apart from basic care, passengers cannot anticipate additional cash compensation. Still, The airline is required to propose an alternate flight or reimbursement of ticket costsIf the flight is cancelled.
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Ryanair's strike in Spain paralyzes airports. It will last until the end of 2025!
